Investigation of the effect of a modified fragment of neuropeptide Y on memory phases and extrapolation escape of animals.

The article presents a study of the effect of a modified fragment of neuropeptide Y (H-L-Ile-L-Asn-L-Leu-L-Nle-L-Ser- L-Arg-L-Asn-L-Arg-L-Tyr-NH2) named nonapeptide NP9 on the memory phases and extrapolation escape of animals. The study was performed in the passive avoidance test with intact animals, scopolamine-treated animals, and the extrapolation escape task. NP9 was investigated in the dose range of 0.04-0.4 mg/kg with a single intranasal administration. The comparison drug used peptide nootropic medicine Semax® (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg. Efficiency was assessed by the retention latency, the percentage of animals that have reached the learning criterion, the number of incomplete attempts to enter, the antiamnestic activity index calculated by Butlers formula, and the number of animals that successfully performed the extrapolation escape task. Peptide NP9 was superior to Semax® in most indicators. It demonstrated the ability to improve memorization due to its effect on I phase of memory and facilitated extinction of negative experiences when administered after a stress stimulus. NP9 also increased the cognitive ability of animals in the conditions an aversive environment in the extrapolation escape test. Thus, peptide NP9 is promising for a further study as a potential drug for the treatment of cognitive impairment and therapy of post-traumatic stress disorder.